Call it fifth heaven!
More than 600 fun-loving foodies gathered at the resplendent Grand Prospect Hall on April 10 to sample delicacies from a whopping 50 Park Slope eateries during this year’s Taste of Fifth event, where everyone’s fine-dining dreams came true.
“We had a fantastic time,” said Mike Maguire, manager of Fifth Avenue Mexican join Chela. “It’s one of the most fun I’ve had at any event we’ve done.”
The blowout was Taste of Fifth’s eighth incarnation since the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District hosted its inaugural tasting event in 2011, and its lengthy roster of Fifth Avenue restaurateurs included a dozen eateries new to the beloved neighborhood event this year, including Chela and Le Mistral, a brand-spanking-new French restaurant that opened just last month.
The event also featured entertainment courtesy of Spoke the Hub, a Park Slope-based dance crew, which was joined by BID executive director and amateur jitterbug Mark Caserta, who showed off his best moves while sporting a custom-made sushi roll costume made for the occasion.
“I regret nothing,” Caserta claimed.
Meanwhile, the all-women drumming group Fogo Azul weaved its way through the gilded labyrinth of Grand Prospect Hall banging on their blue-colored instruments, and their rhythm combined with the venue’s old-timer feel really jazzed up the crowd, according to one percussionist.
“It was fantastic!” said Vanessa Quick. “Did you see the people get into it? It was part our music and part this historic location — it was amazing.”
A third of the proceeds from every Taste of Fifth ticket sold went to benefit one of 15 charity and community organizations, and the event raised upwards of $12,000 for organizations including Brooklyn Pride, Imani House, and MS 51.
